Design by Sawyer Pennington
| I am not sure I have any words of wisdom, as I am constantly reading online. Typically, it is either to research a specific topic or keep up with what is trending to make sure we keep our posts current and relevant. I have a handful of online news and business resources that send me daily newsletters (although I still read the print version of The Wall Street Journal and the few magazines I read for pleasure), but have the self-discipline to ignore even the most enticing article titles if the topic is not relevant. Sometimes it requires speed-reading the opening paragraph or two, but if it is not worth my time, I can stop. I am one of those people who can start reading a book (or watching a movie) and decide there is no point in continuing. Years ago, I probably would have kept going hoping it would get better … but came to realize it rarely did and that my time was too important to waste. |
| There's no way I'm as disciplined as Black, but I've learned
to earmark time during the day to read whatever strikes my fancy. No excuses necessary. I just label that time as "brain breaks" as
it's a great escape from whatever I'm working on. Plus, I tend to skim vs. reading an entire
article. But if I come across something
that I want to read in its entirety, I'll print it out and save it for
either the evening or over the weekend. (When I used to chauffeur my daughter to volleyball practice, I was able
to get through lots of these articles.) But here's one thing that really seems to help – I subscribed to a few select newsletters (such Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and Texas Monthly) and when I want to take a break, I'll skim through the headlines on those vs. surfing the internet. That way I'm not tempted to read a bunch of things just because those magical algorithms make them pop up on my screen. And if something interests me, I can either read it then or save it for when I take a lunch break (well, really a quick bowl of cereal) or at night when I'll go back and have a look. The reality is that by the time I do that, and keep in mind at night I'm tired, so trying to get off the computer, not spend more time on it, most of the emails are either old news or things that now don't seem worth my time. So, I often just delete many of those emails! |
Image on screen is from "What I Learned About Life When My Husband Got Fired!"
| Oh, there are more days than I'd care to admit that I'd be grateful if it were just my desk that had too much paper on it, as I've been known to use my floor as a filing system. Really! And I've been known to complain about feeling like I'm drowning in paper on way more than one occasion. So, what do I do? Well, after kicking myself for letting things (once again) get out of hand instead of keeping on top of the paper clutter, I take a deep breath and remember the advice that Black gave me years ago. And although I initially resisted following her advice, once I gave in, I found it was the perfect (and easiest) way to turn mountains of paper into manageable stacks. But since it's her "system", I'll let her explain it to you. |
| All those words and Red provided only empathy — but no real advice. However, she raises a good point in that paper will always accumulate, and we should strive to keep it from getting out of control … versus trying to control it "perfectly". Now, in terms of the advice I gave Red, our accountants would suggest I refer you to our book, but I hate when people do that. Instead, we put the relevant excerpt on this site: Too Much Paper — Not Enough Time. But, here is a short version ("short" in terms of explanation, not the time it will take to make the piles shrink): take a handful of papers and begin sorting them into piles based on priority — immediate, this week, next week, next month, next lifetime. You will quickly realize that the majority of the items will be very low priority, such as reading, filing, or shredding. And, separating out the highest-priority items will not only help you focus on them, but will also reduce the stress of wondering if there is something important you are forgetting to do. |
| As an ostrich by nature, I guess sticking my head in the sand wouldn’t be the answer you’re looking for. Although, ironically, I find the less news I watch, the better. But a “trick” I learned as a teenager (when I was a kid, I thought it was a punishment) is taking a nap, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. Sometimes just lying down, even when I’m not tired, lets my batteries recharge. Other times, when I have a lot going on in my head, I find a nap or a short walk, which gives me the added benefit of a little exercise, gives me a few minutes of calm. Periodically, I tell Black that I’m going to try to get away for a few days or even have a “staycation”, where the objective is to do nothing, but it never seems to happen. Of course, anyone who knows me knows that movies are my great escape. And, yes, it’s because I love the popcorn. But there’s something about getting lost in what’s on the screen and forgetting the craziness of everyday life. Even if that means my theater degree sometimes kicks in, and I’m analyzing the movie instead of enjoying it at face value. |
| Asking a workaholic how to relax or escape may seem like an oxymoron, but if you will accept a “do as I say, not as I do” moment, I would suggest trying to find balance. Of course, I have a car analogy — a traffic light. My escape, though, is through exercise. However, I sometimes retreat to my hammock, which may seem strange for a workaholic living in a high-rise. I was intrigued by the company (Yellow Leaf), their SharkTank negotiations, and their backstory of empowering women by creating jobs that ultimately transform families. So, when I noticed they had a “Hammock Throne” (that is the actual name) that would fit in a corner of my balcony, I ordered it. Little did I know it would become a wonderful way to relax and a great escape (ok, I admit I use it to do business reading). |
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